4 Mindset Shifts for Stressful Times
These 4 mindset shifts for stressful times can make a big difference when it comes to staying engaged with intention instead of reactivity. Compassionate accountability helps us embrace our humanity while challenging our status quo. Here we’re focusing on simple, practical tools, and encouragement as we navigate these difficult times.
In this episode of Mindset Unlimited, I share 4 bite size mindset shifts for stressful times to help you show up in a sustainable way.
Some of what I explore in this episode includes:
- Consider how you talk to yourself – don’t let the times define you
- Changing how you think about taking action to stay purposeful and sustainable
- Overcoming overwhelm when things are really overwhelming
- Stay true to your moral compass and overcoming discomfort conditioning
Have you ever had one of those weeks where you blink and suddenly—poof!—an entire week has vanished? Yeah, me too. In fact, that’s exactly what happened to me recently, and it’s what inspired this mini episode (and now, this blog post). I could have spent a lot of time beating myself up for missing my usual schedule, but instead, I decided to pause, breathe, and remind myself: mistakes happen, and they don’t define who I am.
If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve felt the weight of stressful times, too. Maybe you’ve caught yourself spiraling into self-judgment, or maybe you’ve felt paralyzed by overwhelm, wondering how on earth you’re supposed to keep showing up when everything feels so… much. I get it. That’s why I wanted to share a few bite-sized mindset shifts that have helped me (and might just help you) navigate these moments with a little more grace and a lot less self-flagellation.
First up: self-talk. After having yet another conversation with a friend about what’s happening in the world. I caught myself saying “Wow. I am not a fun person.” I heard that come out of my mouth and had to stop. As someone who talks all the time about labels and limits, I realized I was letting the times I’m living in dictate who I believe myself to be. Just because things are hard doesn’t mean I’m not a fun person; it means I’m living through not-so-fun times. So, I invite you to notice the labels you’re giving yourself and choose ones that are more honest and supportive. You don’t have to let your life circumstances define who you are even as they may impact where and how you are.
Next, let’s talk about action. There’s a saying to put your money where your mouth is. In this capitalist society, money is power and where I spend my money is part of how I speak to what is important to me. In thinking of resistance to oppressive systems, I’ve noticed people tend to talk about what they want to stop. This focus ends up pouring energy into outcomes and controlling beyond ourselves, which can quickly lead to burnout. But what makes something like a boycott effective is sustained action. A more sustainable focus is asking “What am I contributing to?” This shift in thinking applies to time and energy, too. It’s not just about what I’m avoiding, but about what I’m actively building or supporting. There’s no perfect way to do this, and that’s okay. The important thing is to be intentional with what I have.
And then there’s overwhelm. Overwhelm happens when something feels bigger than you and, thus, sets off your system’s danger alert. Sometimes it’s just a matter of breaking things down into smaller, more manageable bites. Other times, the thing really is bigger than us, and that’s when it’s time to call in the Power Rangers (aka a coalition of people to join forces with in the struggle). You don’t have to do it all alone. Find your people. Take your bite-sized step. That’s enough.
Finally, I want to touch on discomfort—specifically, the discomfort that comes from making other people uncomfortable. If you’re an empath like me, you probably learned early on to read the room and keep the peace. But sometimes, growth means letting yourself (and others) feel a little uncomfortable. It means honoring your moral compass, even when your nervous system is screaming, “Danger!” because it learned that certain people being uncomfortable is dangerous. It means asking: What support do I need to show up the way I want to?
I share this because it all matters. You matter. The way you talk to yourself, how you show up, and how you care for yourself in tough moments ripples out into the world. I hope these mindset shifts offer you a little comfort, a little courage, and a reminder that you’re not alone. We’re all just doing our best, one bite at a time.
If you’re looking for more support grab a spot on my calendar for a free exploration call. And if you need a little extra rest and have a little (or a lot of) extra rage, check out my friend Jordan Maney’s episode on The Rest Lab podcast—her voice is like a warm hug for your soul and her words are inspirational.
Thanks for being here, for trying, for being human. I see you.
Cheering for you,
Valerie
Have thoughts or questions about this episode? Share them with me! I always love hearing from you.
LINKS TO REFERENCES MADE IN THIS EPISODE:
the restlab podcast with Jordan Maney: Rest So You Can Rage
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This podcast was produced by Valerie Friedlander Coaching
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